PRITI PATEL faced fresh calls to resign today after it was revealed that a former aide received a £25,000 payout following alleged bullying that led to her overdosing on prescription drugs.

Legal correspondence states that the woman took an overdose following the alleged incident in 2015, when the now Home Secretary was an employment minister.

The junior employee at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) brought a formal complaint of bullying and harassment against the department, including Ms Patel – who is named directly – after being dismissed from her role in October 2015, the documents show.

Her grievance letter alleges that she had previously attempted suicide after reporting similar workplace bullying concerning another individual in 2014, before Ms Patel was a minister.

The former staff member also claims to have been told that the decision to dismiss her a year later was not made on performance grounds, but because Ms Patel did not “like [her] face,” according to comments attributed to her line manager and a colleague.

On that day in October 2015, Ms Patel had shouted at the woman in her private office and told her to “get lost” and “get out of her face,” according to the correspondence seen by the BBC.

Ms Patel is described in the woman’s formal grievance complaint as having acted with an “unprovoked level of aggression.”

Shortly after, the staff member allegedly took an overdose in the office. She was said to have then become unresponsive and her partner was called to collect her as she was unable to walk unaided.

At home, the woman took a further overdose and was rushed to hospital, where she spent the night in resuscitation, according to the documents.

The DWP did not admit liability and the case did not come before a tribunal.

A £25,000 settlement was reached in 2017 after the former aide threatened to bring a legal claim of bullying, harassment and discrimination on the grounds of race and disability against the department, including Ms Patel.

Ms Patel is also facing allegations – which she denies – that she mistreated Home Office staff.

Sir Philip Rutnam, the department’s most senior official, resigned on Saturday, alleging that the Home Secretary’s conduct towards staff included “swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands.”

He also accused her of orchestrating a “vicious” campaign against him, lying about her involvement in it and creating a climate of fear among her officials.

Mr Rutnam has vowed to take legal action against the Home Office for constructive dismissal, alleging that he was forced out of his job.

Labour shadow home secretary Diane Abbott called on Ms Patel to step down from her role yesterday while an investigation takes place.

She also called for a “genuinely independent inquiry” led by a lawyer, rather than the ongoing Cabinet Office investigation.

Ms Abbott was speaking after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn condemned the government in the Commons as being “led by bullies,” adding that it was clear that Ms Patel would be in breach of the ministerial code if the allegations were found to be true.

Labour leadership contender and shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said on Sunday that Ms Patel has a “duty” to face the Commons over the bullying allegations.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell also called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to suspend Ms Patel and order an independent investigation.